CN111148454A

CN111148454A - Cradle

Info

Publication number: CN111148454A
Application number: CN201880059708.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 克莉丝汀·帕特丽夏·塔利; 凯瑟琳·苏利文; 卡尔·约翰·西肖尔; 艾莉森·曼恩·斯图比; 泰·黑格尔; 帕特里克·墨菲; 普拉萨德·乔希; 查瑞提·格蕾丝·柯克
Original assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Current assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Priority date: 2017-09-14
Filing date: 2018-09-13
Publication date: 2020-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-13
Also published as: US11794519B2; BR112020005002A2; JP7235395B2; CA3075520A1; WO2019055671A8; EP3675692B1; EP3675692A1; AU2018332972B2; US11116330B2; AU2018332972A1; EP3675692A4; CN111148454B; JP2020534048A; WO2019055671A1; US20240092121A1; US20200268168A1; US20220095812A1

Abstract

A bassinet, comprising: a base; a mast assembly rotatably connected to the base at a first end of the mast assembly; an arm rotatably connected to the second end of the mast assembly; a lying basin frame pivotably connected to the arm; an infant sleeping pot retained within the sleeping pot frame, the infant sleeping pot including a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls, and having a reduced height region along the front wall and at least one of the side walls to provide enhanced access to an infant located within the infant sleeping pot; and an insert configured to reversibly fit within an interior of the infant lie basin.

Description

Cradle

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims U.S. provisional patent application No.62/558,535, filed 2017, 9, 14, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the field of postpartum mother and baby health care devices and systems, and more particularly to medical cradles for use in postpartum units in hospitals, labor centers, and/or other health care settings.

Background

Until recently, hospital care standards for healthy term newborns were followed and attended by obstetrician staff in nurseries with other infants (an environment physically separated from the delivery mother). However, the world health organization/United nations Children's Foundation reports that the ten steps of successful breastfeeding (1989; 2009; 2018) established a set of global evidence-based best practices to promote the best health outcomes for infants and delivery mothers. These guidelines were subsequently recommended by the U.S. ministry of health in 2011 to be implemented in all U.S. obstetrical sites. In addition, the ten step implementation is the target for healthy human 2020 (MICH 24). Step seven of the ten steps focuses on the mother and baby "living" together 24 hours a day (i.e., approximately continuously), allowing one hour of separation time to be allotted for surgery on the baby or delivery mother outside of the postpartum unit room.

As a result, the practice of general nursery care is no longer recommended and is no longer driven. However, the vast majority of cradles in the U.S. hospital are still designed for use by ambulatory care giver staff, not by novice mothers whose mobility is limited by post-partum recovery. Therefore, the design mode of the cradle of the postpartum unit adopted at present does not meet the health requirement of the mother and the baby. In particular, two exemplary situations where current cradle designs limit the mother's access to the baby and subject the baby to physical injury are: (1) when the mother reaches out of the bed into the cradle basin, the infant sleeping basin topples under the weight of the mother's arms, and (2) the height of the walls of the infant sleeping basin compromises infant access and safe handling.

The design of the cradles currently available is particularly insufficient for mothers who produce by caesarean section, because their activity limitations and postpartum pain hinder baby care, hinder their own recovery and significantly increase the risk of baby fall. Caesarean delivery currently accounts for 130 million deliveries per year in the united states. Existing postpartum unit cradle designs expose novice mothers to unnecessary frustration, pain, and/or injury by requiring them to wiggle their body to touch their baby in a cradle or get up to touch their baby for a period of time immediately after birth. The obstructed access of mothers to their infants during hospitalization also compromises breast feeding, which is critical to the health of both mothers and children, and requires the identification of baby cues and the ability to place the baby on the breast on a regular basis. In fact, when using a conventionally designed postpartum cradle, mothers report a failure of the postpartum unit to breastfeed, because of the interweaving with the difficulties associated with using such a conventional cradle, and the nighttime is the most challenging time period due to the mother's pain, fatigue and difficulty each time he or she copes with during the infant. In some cases, mothers reported a limited ability to feel their newborns placed on their breasts because their enthusiastic pain increased during such movement.

Existing cradle designs also present a health fairness problem-novice moms often call nurses for non-medical needs (such as baby diaper changes) in the absence of careful family members willing and able to provide 24-hour assistance. However, women who feel vulnerable after delivery, whether due to, for example, a low socio-economic background or due to existing language barriers, may not request the care they need. When novice mothers summon medical staff (i.e., nursing staff) due to their inherent limitations of action, nurses may delay responding to, or shorten, the medical needs of others. Current limitations place a substantial burden and emotional stress on healthcare workers. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently advocated new cradle technologies.

The iatrogenic hurdles presented by existing cradle designs result in the infant being placed on the obstetric table or chair while the novice mother sleeps, rather than being placed back in the cradle. This contemporaneous coping strategy can lead to infant droppings and asphyxiation, resulting in increased mortality rates, although the extent of such increases is not particularly known due to the historical lack of mandatory reports of such events.

In 2009, only 2.9% of the U.S. hospitals obtained the "baby-friendly" title of the world health organization/united nations children's foundation. This global standard of health care has rapidly expanded to the point where all 50 states now have at least one location designated as an "infant-friendly" title. By 2018, over 26% of all U.S. hospitals and labor centers have "baby friendly" titles. The federal government has invested in measures to help hospital sites with their baby-friendly travel, supporting the substantial adoption of these evidence-based practices.

Thus, there is a need to provide novice mothers who "live" with their infants with enhanced visual and physical access to the infants by providing them with a safe and accessible sleeping position to reduce the risk of catastrophic adverse events such as dropping or choking. In addition, there is an unmet need for a cradle that can be conveniently and safely used by a patient (mother), as the cradle is typically positioned and adjusted at the bedside by someone standing close to the bed, rather than by the mother from a sitting position in the bed.

Disclosure of Invention

In some aspects, there is provided a bassinet comprising: a base; a mast assembly rotatably connected to the base at a first end of the mast assembly; an arm rotatably connected to the second end of the mast assembly; a lying basin frame pivotably connected to the arm; an infant sleeping pot retained within the sleeping pot frame, the infant sleeping pot including a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls, and having a reduced height region along the front wall and at least one of the side walls to provide enhanced access to an infant located within the infant sleeping pot; and an insert configured to reversibly fit within the interior of the infant lying basin, wherein, in a first position, all or a portion of the insert is capable of blocking the reduced height area. In some aspects, the upper rim of the infant sleeping pot and at least some or all of the inserts may be substantially continuous and of uniform height around the perimeter of the infant sleeping pot, and wherein, in the second position, the inserts do not block the reduced height area and may be positioned adjacent at least some portions of the two side walls and the back wall of the infant sleeping pot. The insert is held in place at least in part by being held between a lateral edge of a mattress positioned within the infant lie basin and one or more corresponding walls (e.g., a front wall, side walls, or rear wall) of the infant lie basin. In some embodiments, the insert may be movable between the access position and the secured position while the mattress remains substantially stationary within the infant sleeping basin without moving an infant lying thereon.

Drawings

A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying illustrative figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a bassinet suitable for use in, for example, a hospital, according to the disclosure herein;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the base of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an interior portion of the pillar assembly of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 5 is a view of the pillar assembly shown in FIG. 4 showing an inner portion of the linear bearing engaged with the support post of the bassinet in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the linear bearing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a portion of the column assembly shown in FIG. 4, particularly a support post positioner, according to the disclosure herein;

FIG. 8 is an interior view vertically through the linear bearing and support post shown in FIG. 4 according to the disclosure herein;

FIG. 9 is a partial view of a mast assembly including a rotational locking system according to the disclosure herein;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 with the rotating arm and post assembly rotated at an angle relative to the base in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the base of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 with the anti-toppling safety arm in a retracted position in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 12 is a partial view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 with the anti-toppling safety arm in the deployed position in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 13 is a partial view of the base and post assembly of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

figures 14 and 15 are exploded views of components of a base and column assembly according to the disclosure herein;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are partial top views of the infant lie basin and lie basin frame of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 with the rotating arm disposed at an angle relative to the base in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the bassinet in the configuration shown in FIG. 18 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the routing path of the actuation cables within the lying basin frame and rotating arm of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the routing path of the actuation cable through the base and post assembly of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 22 is a schematic top view through a linear bearing showing an access area through which an actuation cable passes in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 23 is a top view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 wherein the rotating arm has rotated relative to the base in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIGS. 24A-24E are isometric views illustrating the rotating arm of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in various rotatable positions relative to the base in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 26 is an isometric partial view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 showing the post assembly, rotating arm, lying basin frame and infant lying basin in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 27 is a partial view of the lying basin frame of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 28 is a top view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 29 is a top view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1, wherein the rotating arm has rotated relative to the base and the lying basin frame has rotated relative to the rotating arm, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIGS. 30A-30D are isometric views showing the bassinet frame of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in various rotatable positions relative to the rotating arm in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the infant lying basin of the bassinet of FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 32 is a side view of the infant lying basin of the bassinet of FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 34 is a partial view of the bassinet shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosure herein;

fig. 35 is an isometric view of the infant lying basin of the bassinet of fig. 1 with an insert positioned therein according to the disclosure herein;

fig. 36A is a front view of the infant lying basin of the bassinet of fig. 1 with an insert positioned therein according to the disclosure herein;

fig. 36B is an isometric view of the infant lying basin of the cradle of fig. 1 in an incomplete seating position relative to the lying basin frame such that a visual indicator is visible to alert a user that the infant lying basin is incompletely or improperly positioned within the lying basin frame, in accordance with the disclosure herein;

fig. 37-40 are isometric views of the infant lie basin and lie basin frame of the bassinet of fig. 1 with yet another exemplary embodiment of a two-piece insert shown in first and second positions in accordance with the disclosure herein;

FIG. 41 is an isometric view of the infant sleeping pot and the sleeping pot frame of FIG. 37 showing a mattress positioned within the infant sleeping pot to secure the insert within the infant sleeping pot in accordance with the disclosure herein; and

fig. 42 and 43 are isometric views of the bassinet of fig. 1 according to embodiments having an illumination device attached to the bassinet according to the disclosure herein.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments of a cradle suitable for use in a hospital, labor center or other obstetrical healthcare environment are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are further described below in a non-limiting manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the bassinet includes a base, a post assembly connected to the base, an arm connected to the post assembly, a lying basin frame connected to the arm, and an infant lying basin removably received within the lying basin frame. In some embodiments, the height of the arms, the sleeper tub frame, and the infant sleeper tub are variable and may be manually selected by the user within a predetermined range of heights relative to the base and the surface (e.g., floor) on which the bassinet is supported from, for example, a standing or sitting position. In some embodiments, the arm is a rotating arm configured to rotate relative to the base of the bassinet throughout a predetermined range of rotational movement. In some embodiments, the reclining frame structure is caused to rotate relative to the arm. In some embodiments, the base may be absent and replaced by another structure, such as any suitable non-movable structure that provides complete support for the bassinet, such as, for example, a hospital bed in a postpartum unit room of a hospital or other childbirth center, such that the bassinet is no longer independently movable from the support structure, but is rotatable relative to the support structure. These features can be combined in any combination without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.

In fig. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a mobile bassinet, generally designated 1, is shown. The cradle 1 has a base, generally designated 100, a mast assembly, generally designated 200, attached to the base 100, an arm, generally designated 300, rotatably connected to the mast assembly 200, a sleeper tub frame, generally designated 400, rotatably connected to the arm, and an infant sleeper tub, generally designated 500, removably received within a recessed portion of the sleeper tub frame 400. As shown, the lying tub frame has, for example, three rotational degrees of freedom from a stationary object (e.g., a hospital bed) around which the cradle 1 is movably positioned. The first degree of freedom of rotation is achieved by using, for example, a base 100 that is rotatable and/or pivotable relative to a stationary object using casters (see, e.g., 130 in fig. 3). The second degree of rotational freedom is achieved by the post assembly 200, which is rotatable and/or pivotable about the base 100, and the arm 300, the sleeper frame 400 and the infant sleeper 500. The third rotational degree of freedom is achieved by the sleeper tub frame 400 and the infant sleeper tub 500 being rotatable and/or pivotable about the arms 300. At least some of the components of the bassinet 1 can be at least temporarily fixed and/or locked in any corresponding position that is achieved due to these three rotational degrees of freedom. Due to these three rotational degrees of freedom, the infant lying basin can be moved into almost any user selectable position relative to the stationary object. In fig. 2, the bassinet 1 is shown in a position and configuration that can be used to transport an infant within the infant sleeping tub 500 or for periods of inactivity (e.g., while the infant is sleeping).

Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of the base 100 separated from the other components of the bassinet 1. The base 100 includes a body, generally designated 110, which includes a base plate 112 and a wheel mounting region 116 attached at each corner thereof, wherein the wheel mounting region 116 is connected to the base plate 112 by a transition region 114. The use of the transition region 114 allows the base 100 to have a lower center of mass by having the base plate 112 below the height of the wheel mounting region 116, which is generally determined by the physical dimensions of the wheels 130 selected for a given application. For example, it may be advantageous to use inflatable casters or other wheels 130 for cradles that will be used to transport a baby on any typical surface (e.g., a paved surface), while harder wheels 130 (e.g., those made of plastic or solid rubber) may be selected for cradles that will only be used on smooth surfaces, such as those found in typical U.S. hospitals. Generally, the inflated wheels will have a larger diameter than hard plastic or rubber caster wheels, such that the difference in height between the wheel mounting area 116 and the base plate 112 can be selected depending on the type of wheels 130 to be mounted on the base 100 of the bassinet. The base 100 may include a manual or front wheel 134, which may be manually lockable (e.g., actuating a locking lever with a foot), and rotatable about an axis in the direction R1. The base 100 also has rear wheels 132 which may have an automatic locking function so that they will only rotate when the automatic lock is released by the user and will automatically lock when the user releases the automatic lock release, or the base may alternatively be otherwise secured without automatic locking into a secured position with any suitable structure. Further, it is possible that the base 100 does not have any locking function. The rear wheels 132 may pivot, as shown at R1 for the front wheels 134, or may be rotationally fixed. In the illustrated embodiment, all of the caster wheels 130 are rotatable in the direction R1 about an axis defined by the attachment location of each caster wheel 130 to the base 100. Each wheel 130 can be individually locked in a fixed position, for example angularly or rotationally, to prevent it from moving while the bassinet is in motion. Each wheel 130 may also include a shroud or other cover, if desired. The base 100 has an aperture 120 therein for attaching the mast assembly 200 to the base 100.

In fig. 4, an interior view of the mast assembly 200 is shown with the exterior structure/cladding members omitted to clearly show the interior structure therein. The post support 250 is attached to and secured to the base 100 (see fig. 3) of the bassinet such that the post support 250 remains fixed relative to the base 100. The height adjuster 252 is attached at a first end thereof to the base 100 and at a second end thereof to the support post 230. The height adjuster 252 allows the arm 300 to be set at one of a plurality of heights relative to the base 100 within a predetermined range of height values. The support post 230 is connected at its first end to the arm 300 by an arm collar 320, the arm collar 320 being clamped securely around the support post 230 to prevent relative angular rotation between the arm 300 and the support post 230. The support post 230 passes through a linear bearing generally designated 210. The linear bearing is configured to prevent relative rotational movement between the support post 230 having a square cross-section and the circular lower support member 236 (see fig. 10). The support post 230 has a support post locator, generally designated 240, attached at a second end thereof. The support post positioner 240 has a cross-sectional shape that conforms to the interior surface of the lower support member 236. Because the support posts 230 are connected to the lower support member 236 at two locations, unwanted movement (e.g., "swinging") of the infant lying basin is minimized. The support column 230 is moved vertically by actuation of a height adjuster, which in some embodiments may be a pneumatic cylinder.

The linear bearing 210 is shown in more detail in fig. 5-8. The linear bearing 210 has a housing 212 that may be formed as a single piece with a single housing seam 214, or as two separate pieces that are attached around the support post 230 (e.g., hinged together in a clamshell configuration, or formed as separate pieces that are not connected to each other prior to installation) so as to define two housing seams 214. Housing 212 has an upper flange 211 that is substantially similar in shape (e.g., the same, similar, or larger diameter) as lower support member 236 (see fig. 10). Housing 212 is connected to lower support member 236 by fasteners 222 (e.g., threaded screws) passing through holes 222A (which pass through flanges 211). At least one (e.g., a plurality of) upper rollers 218 extend upwardly from the housing 212 and are disposed on each lateral side of the support column 230. At least one (e.g., a plurality of) lower rollers 220 extend downward from the housing 212 and are disposed on each lateral side of the support column 230. The upper and

lower rollers

218 and 220 are attached to the housing 212 at

support members

218A and 220A, respectively, the

support members

218A and 220A having through holes formed therethrough. The upper and

lower rollers

218 and 220, respectively, may be made of a material having a suitable hardness to at least partially compress against the surface of the support post 230 to ensure positive pressure when the linear bearing 210 is attached around the support post 230. The linear bearing 210 is secured around the support post 230 by one or more clamping fasteners 216, which clamping fasteners 216 may be of the threaded screw type. The linear bearing 210 is configured such that the support column 230 passes through and is vertically movable relative to the linear bearing 210. The cavity 224 is formed through the thickness (e.g., in the vertical direction) of the linear bearing 210. The cavity 224 has a cross-sectional shape and profile that is at least as large as the cross-sectional shape of the support post 230, but preferably has a larger cross-sectional area than the support post 230.

Figure 7 shows a support post locator 240 having a peripheral edge in the shape of a cylindrical disk that is substantially the same shape as the interior surface of a lower support member 236 (see figure 10), which lower support member 236 is shown in this embodiment in the form of a hollow cylindrical member. The support post locator 240 has or defines a groove 242 having a shape (e.g., "footprint") that is the same size as the second end of the support post 230 (see fig. 4), where the support post 230 connects to the groove 242. The outer and inner peripheries of the groove 242 are shaped such that the distance between them is at least as large as the thickness of the outer wall of the support post 230. In the illustrated embodiment, the support post locator 240 is secured to the support post 230 by threading a threaded member through each securing hole, generally designated 246, into a threaded receptacle, generally designated 247, on at least two opposing sides of the support post locator 240. The support post locator 240 has at least one or more cable guide holes, generally designated 244, formed through the thickness of the support post locator 240. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality (e.g., four) cable guide holes 244 are provided and pass from the upper surface to the lower surface within the central portion of the support post positioner 240. These cable guide holes 244 are inclined at an angle with respect to a vertical axis substantially parallel to the extending direction of the support column 230. This tilting of cable guide holes 244 may have a radial tilt component to impart a curvature or winding pattern to the actuation cables passing therethrough (see fig. 21) such that the cables may be maintained in a coiled configuration within lower support member 236. A central void, generally designated 248, is formed and configured to allow a height adjuster 252 (see fig. 10) to pass therethrough for securement to the support post 230. In some embodiments, a hole may be formed through the height adjuster 252 that will align with the securing hole 246 for securing the height adjuster to the support post 230. In such embodiments, the receiver 247 may be unthreaded such that a connecting rod may extend freely therethrough to interconnect the support post 230, the support post positioner 240, and the height adjuster 252.

The height adjuster 252 is shown in fig. 9 as being fixedly connected to the rotary gear 260 such that they are rotationally locked together, such as by threaded members. The rotary gear 260 has a predetermined range of rotational movement defined by a toothed region 262 (see fig. 12). In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary gear 260 has a maximum range of motion of 135 ° from a nominal position (i.e., "0 °"). The post assembly 200 is secured to the base by a collar 280, the collar 280 being attached to the base 100 (e.g., at the aperture 120, see fig. 3) in the form of a snap-in member having a two-piece configuration, a first piece positioned below the base 100 and a second piece positioned above the base 100. The collar 280 may be in the form of a rotational bearing for smooth rotational movement of the mast assembly 200 relative to the base 100. In some embodiments, the bearings may be provided independently of the collar 280. Collar 280 is disposed at the bottom of mast assembly 200 and is rotationally locked for movement with the other components of mast assembly 200.

Rotation of the arm 300 and the mast assembly 200 relative to the base 100 is illustrated in fig. 10, where the direction of rotation is labeled R2 in this view. The internal components of mast assembly 200 are hidden in this view by upper support shroud 238, which is primarily a decorative, non-load bearing member, and lower support member 236, which lower support member 236 (which passes through mast support 250) is rigidly attached to rotary gear 260 to prevent relative angular movement therebetween. The anti-tip safety arm 290 is shown in a rotated deployed position and aligned to move radially with the arm 300 such that the arm 300 and the anti-tip safety arm 290 are aligned in the same plane.

Fig. 11-15 illustrate the anti-tip safety arm 290 in a retracted position and a deployed position. In fig. 11, the anti-tip safety arm 290 is configured in a retracted position. The anti-tipping safety arm 290 may include a non-slip footing 298 at its distal end, which may be made of, for example, rubber or any material having sufficient hardness. By being secured to the anti-toppling safety arm mount 292 at the proximal end of the anti-toppling safety arm 290, the anti-toppling safety arm 290 is rotatably locked to move with the rotational movement of the post assembly. The anti-tip safety arm 290 also has an actuation member 294 attached near the proximal end of the anti-tip safety arm 290. Actuation plate 296 is disposed in an arcuate form on the bottom surface of base 100, and actuation member 294 is positioned on anti-tip safety arm 290 to engage the actuation plate. The actuation disc has a reduced height at a central location such that when the actuation member 294 is located within the reduced height region of the actuation disc, the spring biased anti-tip safety arm 290 moves in an upward direction (e.g., toward the base 100) to a retracted position. Similarly, as the mast assembly 200 and the anti-tipping safety arm 290 rotate from the nominal position, the actuation member 294 rotates and vertically displaces downward away from the nominal position due to the increased thickness of the actuation disc 296. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation disc 296 has a rotation stop member 296A positioned at the limits of the arc defined by the actuation disc 296 to prevent the anti-toppling safety arm 290 from moving excessively beyond the boundaries of the safety disc. In some embodiments, a rotation stop member 296A may be used to limit the maximum amount of rotation of the mast assembly 200 and arm 300 to prevent over-rotation thereof relative to the base 100. The angular position of the mast assembly 200 and the arm 300 is maintained by the engagement of the rotational lock 270 with the toothed portion 262 of the rotational gear 260. The rotation lock 270 is slidably attached to the base 100 at the slot 111 (see fig. 10). By slidably actuating the rotational lock 270 to move radially away from the rotational gear 260, it is possible to rotate the mast assembly 200 and the arm 300 relative to the base 100. Once the rotational lock 270 is slidingly reengaged with the toothed portion 262 of the rotational gear 260, relative angular movement between the base 100 and the mast assembly 200 is prevented. The rotational lock 270 and the rotational gear 260 have interlocking gear teeth formed therein that are complementary (e.g., have a shape and size that mesh together). The size of the interval of the rotational movement of the mast assembly 200 relative to the base 100 is determined by the size and pitch of the gear teeth of the rotary gear 260 and the rotary lock 270. Fig. 14 and 15 are exploded views of the components of the mast assembly 200 that engage the base 100 and allow rotational movement relative to the base 100.

Fig. 16 and 17 illustrate a wheel handle, generally designated 410, attached to the lying basin frame 400. The wheel handle 410 controls the automatic locking feature of the rear wheel 132 (see, e.g., fig. 21) to be disengaged to allow movement of the bassinet 1, e.g., for transport of an infant or positioning of the bassinet 1 relative to a generally stationary object, such as a hospital bed. Although only a single wheel handle 410 may be provided, in this embodiment, the lying basin frame 400 includes a plurality of wheel handles 410, particularly four in number of wheel handles 410, each of which is disposed on a corner of the lying basin frame 400, the lying basin frame 400 having a generally rectangular peripheral shape. Each first handle has a handle grip 412 and an actuator 414 captured within the handle grip 412. When pressed against the handle grip 412 by a user, the actuator 414 pivots about the hinge 416. As such, the actuator 414 moves in a direction R3, which direction R3 is oriented circumferentially with respect to the hinge 416. The first handle may be integrally formed into the sleeper frame 400 or may be removably attached thereto. The operation of wheel handle 410 will be discussed further below with respect to fig. 20 and 21.

Fig. 17-19 show a pivoting/swivel handle, generally designated 430, and a height handle, generally designated 450, as part of the sleeper frame 400. Each of the pivot/swivel handle 430 and the height handle 450 are integrally formed as part of the lying basin frame 400, but in some embodiments one or both may be removably attached or attached to the lying basin frame 400. While only a single pivoting/rotating handle 430 and a single height handle 450 may be provided in some embodiments, in the exemplary embodiment shown, multiple pivoting/rotating handles 430 and multiple height handles 450 are provided as part of the sleeper frame 400. In particular, two pivoting/rotating handles 430 and two height handles 450 are provided. Two pivoting/rotating handles 430 are shown configured on opposite sides/ends of the sleeper frame 400, the side/end of the sleeper frame 400 on which the pivoting/rotating handles 430 are configured being the side of the bassinet 1 (e.g., the long side of the sleeper frame 400) that removes or places an infant from or within the infant sleeper tub 500. Two height handles 450 are shown configured on opposite sides/ends of the lying basin frame 400, the side/end of the lying basin frame 400 on which the height handles 450 are configured being the side of the bassinet 1 that is adjacent to the infant's head or feet when the infant is in the infant lying basin 500 (e.g., the short side of the lying basin frame 400). The numbers and locations described above with respect to the wheel handle 410, pivot/swivel handle 430, and height handle 450 are merely examples, and these handles may be combined in any location and number without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Pivoting/swivel handle 430 has grips 432 molded into the sleeper frame 400 along the length of the opposite long edges of the sleeper frame 400. This position of the pivoting/rotating handle is considered advantageous because it will be more easily accessible to users with reduced mobility, such as for example a novice mother. Located below the grip 432 are one or more actuation levers 434 that a user can linearly actuate the actuation levers 434 by pulling the actuation levers 434 toward the peripheral edge of the grip 432 while holding the grip 432. The actuation lever 434, when actuated, allows the mast assembly 200 and arm 300 to rotate relative to the base 100 while allowing the sleeper tub frame 400 and infant sleeper tub 500 to rotate and/or pivot about the generally circular hub 310 of the arm 300. In this embodiment, the collar 250 does not rotate relative to the base 100, but is rigidly attached to the base 100 such that the lower support member 236 rotates within the collar 250. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot/rotate handle 430 has a single stage actuation such that the rotational movement of the arm 300 and the mast assembly 200 and the pivotal movement of the sleeper frame 400 and the infant sleeper 500 are initiated substantially simultaneously. However, in some embodiments, the pivot/swivel handle 430 may have a two-stage actuation such that the pivoting movement of the sleeper basin frame 400 and infant sleeper basin 500 is initiated before the pivoting movement of the arm 300 and upright assembly 200 is initiated, such that the pivoting movement of the sleeper basin frame 400 and infant sleeper basin 500 is initiated with a lesser degree of movement of the actuation lever 434 than is required for the pivoting movement of the actuation arm 300 and upright assembly 200. Vice versa, the rotational movement of the arm 300 and the mast assembly 200 can be initiated prior to the pivotal movement of the sleeper basin frame 400 and the infant sleeper basin 500. In still other embodiments, the rotational movement of the arm 300 and the mast assembly 200, as well as the pivotal movement of the sleeper basin frame 400 and the infant sleeper basin 500, may each be controlled by physically separate sets of handles. These physically separated sets of handles may have common or separate grips.

Height handle 450 has grips 452 molded into the sleeper frame 400 along the length of the opposing short edges of the sleeper frame 400. Located below the grip 452 are one or more actuation tabs 454, which a user may linearly actuate the actuation tabs 454 by pulling the actuation tabs 454 toward the peripheral edge of the grip 452 while holding the grip 452. Since the height handle 450 is on the same edge as the wheel handle 410, the height handle 450 has a significantly reduced width compared to the pivot/swivel handle 430. The actuation pull tab 454, when actuated, allows actuation of the height adjuster 252 (see, e.g., fig. 4), thereby allowing the user to increase or decrease the length of the mast assembly 200 and, correspondingly, the height of the sleeper basin frame 400 and infant sleeper basin 500 relative to the surface (e.g., the floor) on which the base 100 is supported. The upper support shroud 238 fits over and/or slides vertically around the periphery of the lower support member 236. In some embodiments, the lower vertical stop can be selected based on the length of the upper support shroud 238 such that the upper support shroud 238 will contact the collar 250 when at the minimum operable height of the bassinet 1. The length of the upper support shroud 238 is selected such that it remains circumferentially engaged about at least a portion of the lower support member 236 when at the maximum operable height of the bassinet 1. This feature is both aesthetic and practical, both concealing the linear bearings 210 (see fig. 4-8), and ensuring that no alignment features are required to maintain circumferential alignment of the upper support shroud 238 and the lower support member 236, which can result in binding or jamming of the bassinet if they are allowed to separate and not maintain sufficiently precise alignment relative to each other during use.

Hub 310 has a generally circular shape and is generally hollow (except for cable guide features such as walls, retaining clips, etc.) to allow for adequate cable management of the cables required to actuate wheel handle 410, pivot/swivel handle 430, and height handle 450 to each perform their described functions. The hub 310 has a generally open top surface that mates with a corresponding surface of the lying pot frame 400, which will be shown and described in more detail with respect to fig. 20. Fig. 19 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a bassinet wherein the anti-tipping safety arm 290 is selectively disengageable from the rotational movement of the arm 300 and the post assembly 200.

Fig. 20-22 illustrate various aspects of cable routing for a plurality of

handles

410, 430, 450 disposed in a lying basin frame 400. The lying pot frame 400 has a central hub 472 that attaches to the hub 310 of the arm 300 to form a substantially enclosed area in which the actuation cables can be routed to be externally invisible. The lying basin frame 400 has an at least partially hollow peripheral portion connected to the hub 472 by

transverse ribs

470A, 470B that may be completely closed such that cables routed therethrough are not externally accessible or visible. To allow the pivoting movement of the sleeper basin frame 400 and infant sleeper basin 500 and the rotational movement of the arms 300 to occur simultaneously and within their respective maximum degrees of angular movement (in the illustrated embodiment, both can be rotated/pivoted ± 135 ° from a central or nominal position at "0 °).

To unlock the rear wheel 132 (see, e.g., fig. 3), the actuator 414 is connected to the first wheel cable 418 and pulls the first wheel cable 418 as the actuator 414 pivots about the hinge 416. First wheel cable 418 is connected to a first wheel cable interface 420 that is configured to remain substantially fixed and/or only for linear movement in the direction of pulling the first wheel cable when actuator 414 is squeezed. The first wheel cable interface 420 is connected to a second wheel cable 422 that extends towards and is connected to a wheel cable reducer 424 that is configured to receive inputs from a plurality of second wheel cables 422 and to actuate as an output a third wheel cable 426 when any of the second wheel cables 424 transmits an actuating movement to the wheel cable reducer 424. Third wheel cable 426 is routed through

hubs

472 and 310, through arm 300, and to mast assembly 200 at transition end 428. From the transition end 428, a third wheel cable 426 is routed vertically through the pole assembly 200, including, for example, through the support post 230, the linear bearing 210, the support post positioner 240, and the rotating cogwheel 260, to exit the bottom surface of the base 100 and connect to each rear wheel 132 such that when actuated, the locking of each rear wheel 132 is deactivated, enabling the bassinet 1 to move.

For pivotal and rotational movement of the pelvis frame 400 and arm 300, respectively, each actuator lever 434 is connected to a first pivot cable 438 and pulls the first pivot cable 438 as the actuator lever 434 moves in the direction of the periphery of the grip 432. The first pivot cable 438 passes through the

hubs

310, 472 and is directed through an outer peripheral portion of the lie basin frame 400 to the pivot cable reducer 440. The pivot cable reducer 440 is configured to perform two actions simultaneously upon receiving an actuation input from any one of the plurality of first pivot cables 438 attached to its input side. In a first aspect involving rotational movement of control arm 300 and mast assembly 200 about base 100, pivot cable reducer 440 transmits a corresponding output to rotation cable 442, which is routed through and around

hubs

310, 472 and into arm 300 to pass into and through mast assembly 200 at transition tip 444. In a second aspect relating to controlling the pivotal movement of the sleeper frame 400 and infant sleeper 500 relative to the arms 300, the pivot cable reducer 440 actuates the pivot lock 476 radially away from the central pivot gear 478 located within the

hubs

310, 472 to allow the pivot gear 478 to rotate relative to the pivot lock 476. When the actuation input from the first pivot cable 438 is no longer received at the pivot cable reducer, the pivot lock 476 moves rearward into engagement with the pivot gear 478, which pivot gear 478 is integrally formed with the sleeper frame 400 within the hub 472, or is rigidly attached or affixed to the sleeper frame 400, to prevent pivotal movement of the sleeper frame 400 and infant sleeper 500 relative to the arm 300. In some embodiments, pivoting gear 478 may be integrally formed or rigidly attached or affixed within hub 310 of arm 300. From the transition tip 444, the rotation cable 442 is routed vertically through the mast assembly 200, including, for example, through the support column 230, the linear bearing 210, the support column positioner 240, and the rotation gear 260, to be output from the bottom surface of the base 100, and is connected to the rotation lock 270, such that when actuated, the rotation lock 270 disengages (e.g., moves radially away from) the rotation gear 260, such that the mast assembly 200 and the arm 300 can rotate relative to the base 100.

In the area within the lower support member 236 below the support post positioner 240, the third wheel cable 426 and the third pivot cable 442 are coiled in a generally double helix configuration (e.g., in a spring-like shape) that is vertically compressible such that the pitch between each "coil" of each helix is variable based on the height to which the column assembly 200 is set. Thus, as mast assembly 200 is elongated vertically, each helix is elongated and the coils of the helix are further spaced apart. Similarly, as the column assembly is vertically shortened, each helix is correspondingly compressed and the coils of the helix are spaced closer together.

To control the height adjustment of the cradle 1 (which is accomplished by varying the length of the mast assembly 200), each actuator pull tab 454 is connected to a first height adjustment cable 458 and pulls on the first height adjustment cable 458 as the actuator pull tab 454 moves in the direction of the perimeter of the grab handle 452. The first height adjustment cable 458 passes through an outer peripheral portion of the sleeper frame 400 to a height adjustment cable reducer 460. A height adjustment cable reducer 460 receives input from one of the first height adjustment cables 458 and transmits actuation movement via a second height adjustment cable 462, which second height adjustment cable 462 passes into and around the

hubs

310, 472 and is operatively connected to a height adjustment tip 464 within the mast assembly 200 such that the height adjuster 252 is activated to change the length of the mast assembly to change the height of the lying basin frame 400 and the infant lying basin 500.

Various cable routing features are provided in and/or on the sleeper frame 400, the arms 300, the mast assembly 200 and the base 100 to maintain proper cable routing and ensure that actuation of the respective cables is transmitted from the respective handles to the respective actuation points within the bassinet 1. In fig. 22, a top view through the mast assembly is provided, wherein the entry region 480 represents the region at the top of the mast assembly 200 (e.g., the entry to the arm collar 320, see fig. 4) through which the respective actuation cables may pass. Similarly, an exit region 482 is shown at the bottom of the mast assembly 200 (e.g., at the bottom of the mast support positioner 240, see fig. 4) through which the respective actuation cable may pass.

Fig. 23 illustrates the rotational movement of the mast assembly 200, arm 300 and lie basin frame 400 relative to the base 100, wherein the direction of rotation is represented by R2. The infant sleeping tub 500 rotates together with the sleeping tub frame 400 when placed in the sleeping tub frame 400. Fig. 24A-24E illustrate exemplary angular movements of the mast assembly 200 and the arm 300 relative to the base 100. Fig. 25-28 show other views of the bassinet 1 to more clearly illustrate its features. In particular, the sleeper frame 400 has gussets 484 at each corner thereof to support the infant sleeper basin 500 when the infant sleeper basin 500 is placed therein. The infant lie basin 500 is also supported by the upper surface of the hub 472 and the

transverse ribs

470A, 470B, thereby defining a generally flat plane along which the bottom surface 520 of the infant lie basin 500 is supported by the lie basin frame 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the range of motion of the lying basin frame 400 relative to the arm 300 is controlled by the rotational stop 490, and when maximum angular rotation is reached in one direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise), by rotating the stop 490 to contact the arm 300, the position of the rotational stop 490 on the lying basin frame 400 determines the maximum angular degree of rotation of the lying basin frame 400 relative to the arm 300, thereby preventing rotational movement of the lying basin frame 400 that would cause damage to a corresponding actuation cable housed within the lying basin frame 400 and routed through the lying basin frame 400. Fig. 29 illustrates the pivotal movement of the sleeper basin frame 400 and infant sleeper basin 500 relative to the arm 300, wherein the direction of rotation is indicated by R4. The infant lying basin 500 pivots with the lying basin frame 400 when placed in the lying basin frame 400. Fig. 30A-30D illustrate exemplary angular pivotal movement of the sleeper basin frame 400 and infant sleeper basin 500 relative to the arms 300.

Some features of the infant lying basin are shown and described with respect to fig. 31-36B. The infant sleeping pot 500 may be made of one or more opaque, translucent, and/or transparent materials, including, for example, aluminum, plastic, or any other suitable material. The infant lie basin has a recessed portion, generally designated 530, having a reduced length and/or width as compared to the perimeter of the infant lie basin 500 measured at a height above the recessed portion 530. The recessed portion 530 is provided to more accurately retain the infant lie basin 500 within the lie basin frame 400 and also conforms to a standard mattress (see, e.g., 700, fig. 41) or padded shape that will be placed within the recessed portion 530 within the infant lie basin 500. In some embodiments, physical depressions and/or protrusions (in the sleeper basin frame 400 and the infant sleeper basin 500), removably mating clips attached thereto, and the like may be provided to provide enhanced physical interlocking engagement between the sleeper basin frame 400 and the infant sleeper basin 500. In some embodiments, an actuatable release may be provided within the sleeper frame 400 to prevent the infant sleeper frame 500 from separating from the sleeper frame 400 without releasing the release by direct manipulation of the release or by a remote release of the type shown, for example, for any of the wheel handles 410, pivot/swivel handles 430 and/or height handles 450. The mattress 700 or pad may, for example, have a height that is approximately the same as the height of the recessed portion 530 to provide a substantially flat bottom surface of the infant sleeping pot 500 that is larger than the bottom surface 520 of the infant sleeping pot 500. The infant sleeping tub has opposing lateral side walls 560 above the recessed portion 530, the side walls 560 being connected by a front wall 540 and a rear wall 550. The side walls 560 and the rear wall 550 have a height that meets all applicable safety standards necessary for transporting an infant within the bassinet. The front wall 540 has a reduced height that provides increased access to the infant within the infant cradle. In the corner 572 joining the front wall 540 and the side wall 560, yet another reduced height section 542 is provided to allow the mother or other caregiver to more easily reach the baby to ensure that the baby transitions safely from the cradle into the arms of the mother or other caregiver. The upper edges of the rear wall 550 and the side walls 560 have rolled edges to provide a more discrete point of contact between the arms of the mother or other caregiver and the baby lying basin 500 when placing a baby in the baby lying basin 500 or removing a baby from the baby lying basin 500. At each corner 572, along the entire reduced height section 542, and along the upper edge of front wall 540, a fully rolled edge is provided to ensure a maximum discrete point of contact between the arms of the mother or other caregiver and infant lying basin 500 when placing an infant into or removing an infant from infant lying basin 500.

Infant lying basin 500 has an insert 510 that fits within the full height portion of rear wall 550 and side walls 560, includes an interior contour that conforms to recessed portion 530, and extends adjacent to (e.g., contacts) bottom surface 520 of infant lying basin 500. Thus, when a mattress (e.g., 700, fig. 41) is placed within recess 530, insert 510 is securely held against back wall 550 and side walls 560 to provide increased access to the infant when desired. During periods of time when increased access to the infant is not required (e.g., during sleep and/or transport of the infant), insert 510 is configured to reversibly mount to the first position (see fig. 34-36A) such that insert 510 is in contact with front wall 540 and side walls 560 of infant sleeping tub 500. In the second position (see fig. 31 and 32), insert 510 is positioned against side wall 560 and rear wall 550 of infant sleeping tub 500 to avoid the need for a separate storage location for insert 510 when a user wishes to more easily access the interior of infant sleeping tub 500. The full height portion of the side wall 560 extends for at least half of the total width of the overall width of the infant sleeping tub 500. Just as the sidewall 560 of the infant sleeping tub 500, the side of the insert 510 extends for half the width of the infant sleeping tub 500. Thus, when in the first position, the insert completely covers the height-reducing section 542 and the front wall 540, thereby providing a single height, solid wall to prevent an infant from rolling or otherwise falling off the sides of the infant sleeping pot 500, such as when sleeping or being transported within the infant sleeping pot 500.

In some embodiments, the infant lying basin 500 has a visual indicator 532, which in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 35, 36A and 36B is shown as a brightly colored area (such as red in the embodiment shown in fig. 35, 36A and 36B) within the recessed portion 530 to provide a visual indication to the user when the infant lying basin 500 is not fully engaged within the lying basin frame 400. An example of such misalignment, incomplete, and/or improper insertion of the infant lie basin 500 within the lie basin frame 400 can be seen, for example, in fig. 36B, which fig. 36B illustrates an example of an infant lie basin 500 not fully and/or properly seated/positioned within the lie basin frame 400. Additional safety indicia may be provided to be visible on one or more of the outside and/or inside surfaces of the infant sleeping pot 500. Such safety markings may include printed material that guides proper use of the cradle 1 and warns of hazards caused by improper use, such as, for example, placing an infant face down within the infant lying basin 500. As noted above, in some embodiments, the infant sleeping tub 500 may include a visual indicator 532 around the bottom perimeter of the infant sleeping tub 500 (e.g., within the recessed portion 530). In the illustrated embodiment, this visual indicator 532 is flush with the infant lying basin 500, about 1 inch in width, and from the outside of the lying basin, the visual indicator 532 is only visible when the infant lying basin 500 is incorrectly positioned in the lying basin frame 400. The visual indicator 532 serves as a visual cue to properly adjust the infant sleeper basin 500 to a desired safe position within the sleeper basin frame 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral markings may be red or some other bright and/or conspicuous color to draw the attention and movement of the user in the event of misalignment, imperfection, and/or improper positioning of the infant sink 500. In embodiments where the infant sleeping pot 500 is made at least partially of translucent and/or transparent material, the visual indicator 532 may be used as a pre-populated message board with basic patient care information integrated on its interior surface (e.g., the surface that engages against the exterior surface of the infant sleeping pot 500), such as "let the infant sleep with his/her back on. The inner indicia of the visual indicator 532 may be a neutral color, such as white.

Fig. 37-41 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a two-piece insert generally designated 600 mounted in various mounting positions within a baby cradle 500. Insert 600 has an identical shape that matches the interior contour of rear wall 550 and side walls 560 of at least one of the corners of infant lying basin 500. In fig. 37, the insert 600 is in a second position, wherein the reduced height section 542 is unobstructed and each of the inserts 600 is positioned adjacent (e.g., substantially flush) to at least a portion of one of the two sidewalls and the rear wall of the infant sleeping pot 500. In some embodiments, insert 600 may be configured to fit in any corner of infant lying basin, including at reduced height section 542 of infant lying basin 500. In other embodiments, insert 600 may be configured to be "keyed" or otherwise shaped to fit only within a pair of designated corners of infant sleeping pot 500. Regardless of the configuration of the inserts 600 and in which corner of the infant lie basin 500 they are configured to fit, the height of the perimeter of the infant lie basin is not a continuous height, but a height that decreases along at least a portion of the front wall 540, wherein the inserts 600 do not cover the front wall 540 when both inserts 600 are in the second position (see, e.g., fig. 38-40). Fig. 38 shows the insert 600 installed in the first position, wherein the insert 600 blocks the reduced height section such that the upper edge 546 of the infant sleeping pot 500 is substantially continuous with the insert 600 except at a portion of the front wall 540 not covered by the insert 600. Fig. 39 and 40 illustrate two exemplary configurations of inserts 600 within an infant's base, wherein in each of fig. 39 and 40, one insert 600 is installed in a first position and one insert 600 is installed in a second position. Fig. 41 shows that the insert 600 is held in the second position by being positioned between the mattress 700 located within the recessed portion (see 530, fig. 31 and 32) of the infant sleeping pot 500 and the walls of the recessed portion itself.

In some embodiments, as shown in the exemplary embodiments of fig. 42 and 43, an illumination device 800 (see also 502, fig. 36B) or devices may be included in association with the bassinette 1. For example, one or more LEDs or other suitable illumination devices may be disposed in, on, integrally formed within, or removably coupled to infant lying basin 500. In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to the illumination device 800 on the infant lying basin 500, the illumination device 800 may be similarly integrated with the lying basin frame 400 or attached to the lying basin frame 400. The lighting device 800 may be powered via batteries housed within a receptacle within the infant lying basin 500 or via electrical contacts on the infant lying basin 500 that mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the lying basin frame 400 to provide power to the lighting device 800 from a power source (e.g., rechargeable batteries) located elsewhere on the cradle 1 (e.g., on the base 100, on the arm 300, or on the lying basin frame 400). The illumination device 800 may be positioned over an infant located within the infant sleeping basin 500 in an exemplary embodiment to provide optional illumination within the infant sleeping basin when activated to facilitate a user looking safely and comfortably at the infant during dark periods, such as at night. The intensity of the light generated by the lighting device 800 may be controlled by the user, for example, by turning an intensity knob or engaging/pressing one or more buttons configured to set the lighting device at one of a plurality of preset lighting intensity thresholds so that the sleep of the infant is not disturbed by turning on the lighting device 800. In some embodiments, the illumination device 800 may be configured to direct the generated light toward a central region 810 of the infant sleeping pot 500, away from an area of the infant sleeping pot where the face of the infant was positioned while sleeping in the infant sleeping pot.

The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, devices, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.

Claims

1. A bassinet, comprising:

a base;

a mast assembly rotatably connected to the base at a first end of the mast assembly;

an arm rotatably connected to the second end of the mast assembly;

a lying basin frame pivotably connected to the arm;

an infant sleeping pot retained within the sleeping pot frame, the infant sleeping pot including a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls, and having a reduced height region along the front wall and at least one of the side walls to provide enhanced access to an infant located within the infant sleeping pot; and

an insert configured to be removably positioned within an interior of the infant lie basin such that:

in a first position, the insert blocks the reduced height area such that an upper edge of the infant lying basin is substantially continuous with the insert at least around a corner of the infant lying basin, and

in a second position, the insert does not block the reduced height area and is positioned adjacent to at least some portions of the two side walls and the rear wall of the infant sleeping pot.

2. The cradle of claim 1, wherein:

the infant sleeping pot has a length, a width and a height; and is

The sidewall of the infant sleeping tub has a full height portion that is at least half of the width of the infant sleeping tub.

3. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein the infant sleeper includes a recessed portion engaged within the sleeper frame, the recessed portion having a width and/or length that is reduced from a width and/or length of the infant sleeper.

4. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein the infant sink includes a visual indicator within an area defined by the recessed portion of the infant sink positioned and configured to provide a visual indication to a user when the infant sink is not fully seated within the sink frame.

5. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein in the reduced height area, an upper edge of the infant lie basin is rolled to provide discrete points of contact when contacted by a caregiver of the infant.

6. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein the post assembly has an adjustable length, and adjusting the length of the post assembly changes the height of the sleeper tub frame and the infant sleeper tub relative to the base.

7. The bassinet of claim 6, wherein the length of the post assembly is adjustable by changing the length of a height adjuster located within the post assembly.

8. The bassinet of claim 7, wherein the sleeper frame includes a height handle connected to the height adjuster by one or more cables routed through the sleeper frame, and when actuated, the height handle is configured to actuate the height adjuster to allow a user to change the length of the post assembly.

9. The bassinet of claim 7, wherein the height adjuster comprises a pneumatic brace.

10. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein the post assembly comprises: a support post having a square cross-sectional profile and fixedly connected to the arm; a lower support member having a cross-sectional profile of a hollow cylinder and fixedly connected to the base; and a linear bearing configured to prevent relative rotational movement between the support column and the lower support member.

11. The cradle of claim 10, wherein:

the lower support member is fixedly connected to a rotating gear adjacent the base;

the rotary gear is rotatable with the column assembly relative to the base;

a rotation lock slidably attached to the base at a position adjacent to the rotation gear; and is

Wherein the rotation lock and the rotation gear have interlocking teeth, the post remaining rotationally fixed relative to the base when the lock is engaged against the rotation gear.

12. The bassinet of claim 1, comprising a rotating hub connecting the sleeper frame to the arm, the rotating hub including a pivoting gear and a pivoting lock that interlock to prevent pivotal movement of the sleeper frame relative to the arm.

13. The bassinet of claim 12, wherein the sleeper frame includes at least one pivot/swivel handle connected to the swivel lock and the pivot lock by a pivot/swivel cable such that actuation movement of the pivot/swivel handle by a user causes actuation of the pivot/swivel cable which substantially simultaneously disengages the pivot lock from the pivot gear and the swivel lock from the swivel gear such that the sleeper frame is released to pivot about the arm and the mast assembly is released to rotate about the base substantially simultaneously.

14. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein the base includes a plurality of pivotable wheels, at least two of the pivotable wheels including an automatic locking feature that prevents a respective one of the pivotable wheels from rolling unless deactivated.

15. The bassinet of claim 14, wherein the sleeper frame includes a wheel handle configured to be actuated by a user to deactivate automatic locking to allow the pivotable wheels to roll.

16. The bassinet of claim 15, wherein the at least two pivotable wheels remain rotationally fixed unless one or more of the wheel handles is actuated by a user.

17. The bassinet of claim 15, wherein each of the wheel handles is connected to a cable, wherein each cable is connected to a wheel cable reducer configured to transmit actuation movement from either of the cables to an outlet cable connected to the at least two pivotable wheels.

18. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein the post assembly has a variable length, wherein a cable passing through the post assembly is coiled in a helical configuration within the lower support member, and wherein a pitch of the helical configuration varies as the length of the post assembly varies.

19. The bassinet of claim 1, comprising an anti-tipping safety arm rotatably connected to the post assembly, the anti-tipping safety arm being located below the base, wherein the anti-tipping safety arm is rotatable in the same plane as the arm as the post assembly is rotatable relative to the base, and wherein the safety arm is configured to contact the ground and is a mechanism that minimizes the potential risk of bassinet tipping.

20. The bassinet of claim 19, wherein the anti-toppling safety arm is in a retracted position with a distal end of the anti-toppling safety arm vertically spaced from the ground when the anti-toppling safety arm is substantially aligned with the lengthwise direction of the base, and is in a deployed position with the distal end of the anti-toppling safety arm adjacent the ground when the anti-toppling safety arm is not substantially aligned with the lengthwise direction of the base.

21. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises first and second sections contoured to fit within respective ones of the corners of the infant lie basin.

22. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein the first and second sections are movable independently of each other between respective corners of the infant lie basin and are secured in place within the infant lie basin in one of the respective corners of the infant lie basin.

23. The bassinet of claim 1, wherein in the second position, the insert is substantially flush with at least some portions of both side walls and the rear wall of the infant lie basin.

24. The bassinet of claim 1, including an illumination device attached to the bassinet.

25. The cradle of claim 24, wherein the illumination device is configured to direct light toward a central area within the infant lying basin, away from the face of an infant placed therein.